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Ch’ëdähdëk (Forty Mile) and Fort Cudahy and Fort Constantine are co-managed by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Government of Yukon. The sites in Dawson City that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value are National Historic Sites, Yukon Historic Sites, Municipal Historic Sites or are recognized as having national historic significance by the federal government. The Tr’ondëk-Klondike Stewardship Committee manages the site and includes representatives from all four governments (Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Government of Yukon, Parks Canada and the City of Dawson.
Each member of the Committee retains the authority to make independent management decisions relative to the heritage resources within their jurisdiction. The Stewardship Committee guides the collaborative management of TKWHS and ensures the conservation, protection, presentation and transmission of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
In addition, the Tr’ondëk-Klondike World Heritage Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Stewardship Committee. This committee includes representatives from the four governments, Klondike Visitors Association, Dawson City Chamber of Commerce, Dawson City Museum and local residents. The Advisory Committee represents community organizations with an interest in the presentation, promotion, and development of Tr’ondëk-Klondike that is compatible with its Outstanding Universal Value. The purpose, structure, and responsibilities of the Stewardship Committee and of the Advisory Committee are outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding and approved Terms of References.
Our name
Tr’o signifies the hammer rock used to drive the salmon weir stakes into the mouth of the river; ndëk means “river.”
Another interpretation uses the word Kl’o, which means grass, and translates roughly to: “waters flowing through the grass at the mouth of the Klondike.” The word Hwëch’in means the “people”. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in means: “the people who lived at the mouth of the Klondike.”
— Gerald Isaac, February 1999
The name of the property, Trondëk-Klondike, connects to the events that transformed Tr’ondëk Hwëch’inway of life in the face of colonization by newcomers. “Klondike” brings to mind the Klondike Gold Rush, anevent famous around the world. This period in history came at the turn of the twentieth century, when theexperience of colonialism had alreadybeen disrupting lives, cultures, and societies around the world forcenturies. The survival of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in cultural traditions, knowledge, and practices is reflected in theuse of one of our place names, Tr’ondëk and indicates the experiences and ability of our people to adapt tocolonialism and its impacts, expressed by the colonial name, Klondike.